DOI Heft:
No. 225 (December 1911)
DOI Artikel:Reviews and notices
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21155#0273
Reviews and Notices
gives a very complete history of what has, alas,
long been practically a vanished craft, describing
with considerable detail the main characteristic of
each successive period of development in the East
and in the West. With wise discretion a larger
space is devoted to rare examples than to such as
are comparatively well known, the former being
often quite inaccessible to the student, whose
interests are from first to last generously con-
sidered, full footnote references to authorities
being included, in addition to a classified Biblio-
graphy, an Index of MSS., and a list of the scribes
and illuminators whose names have been pre-
served. After explaining that illuminations and
outline drawings on vellum alone will be considered
by him, Mr. Herbert examines the best classic
survivals, giving the palm amongst the most
ancient to the smaller of the two Virgils in the
Vatican. He then passes on to Early Christian
and Byzantine work, but it is, perhaps, with the
sudden transition from the latter to Celtic illumina-
tion that the personal and romantic history of the
long story begins. Originated at a very early date
in Irish monasteries, the exquisite style spread
throughout Great Britain and thence to the
Continent, counteracting the influence of the com-
paratively stiff Oriental manner. It is almost
painful to turn from the wonderful Books of Kells,
Lindisfarne, and Lichfield to the account of the
Carlovingian Renaissance, in which individual
genius had so little share, but the remainder of the
book with its record of ever-growing skill, that
culminated in the Flemish masterpieces produced
on the eve of the decline which resulted from the
invention of printing, leaves absolutely nothing to
be desired.
The Glory that was Greece. By J. C. Stobart,
M.A. (London: Sidgwick and Jackson, Ltd.)
30.?. net.—Archasological exploration in recent
years has considerably altered our ideas about the
ancient Greeks, especially so in regard to the
earliest stages of their civilisation. A generation
ago the opening chapter of Mr. Stobart's book
could not have been written, for it treats of the
^Egean civilisation in the light of recently dis-
covered documents of various kinds from Crete
and elsewhere that have yielded so much informa-
tion concerning it. The scheme of the book, too,
marks a change ; at one time mythology and warfare
occupied much of the attention of writers ; here,
however, art and literature are prominent, the
author's aim being to give a history of Greece with
statues and poems taking the place of wars and
treaties. He traces the progress of Greek culture
from its beginnings as now known, through the
heroic age and the ages of transition onwards to
its culminating and turning points in the fifth and
fourth centuries b.c., noting as he goes significant
developments in art and other aspects of life, and
then follows with a glance at Macedonia. The
book is generously illustrated with excellent repro-
ductions of typical artistic productions at different
epochs.
A History of French Architecture, 1494-1661.
By Reginald Blomfield, A.R.A., M.A., F.S.A.
(London : G. Bell and Sons.) 2 vols. 50.?. net.
—An architect by profession and one thoroughly
in touch with the ideals of the master-builders of
the past, able intuitively to recognise why they
met the problems with which they had to deal
exactly as they did, Mr. Blomfield has long held
the position of a leading authority on the Re-
naissance which took place between the late six-
teenth and early eighteenth centuries. In his new
publication on the evolution of the neo-Classic style
in France, he fully maintains his reputation for
profound knowledge of his subject, skill in tracing
effects to causes, clearness of definition, and the
intellectual honesty with which he advances his
own conclusions, even when they differ from those
of other experts. Whenever possible he has
founded his descriptions on the personal examina-
tion of buildings, supplementing his actual ob-
servations by reference to old engravings, many of
which are reproduced. Necessarily compelled to
rely on them and on photographs for the greater
number of his illustrations, he has added a series
of beautiful original drawings that are perhaps the
most distinctive and attractive feature of his book.
Beginning with the first tentative efforts of French
architects to imitate contemporary Italian work in
the last decade of the fifteenth century, this most
experienced judge tells the deeply interesting story
of the triumphant progress of French architecture,
until the death of Mazarin in 1661. He closes his
record then, he explains, because the personal rule
established by Louis XIV., after his great Minister
had passed away, "introduced certain new social
and political factors which materially affected the
arts of France."
Paintings and Studies by Kawanabe Kyosai. By
Josiah Conder, F.R.I.B.A. (London: Probsthain
and Co.) £2 10s. net.—All lovers of Japanese
art will welcome the appearance of Mr. Conder's
work, which is a worthy tribute to a great Japanese
painter. The author, who had the advantage of
the artist's intimate acquaintance, has had un-
equalled opportunities of acquiring some of the
251
gives a very complete history of what has, alas,
long been practically a vanished craft, describing
with considerable detail the main characteristic of
each successive period of development in the East
and in the West. With wise discretion a larger
space is devoted to rare examples than to such as
are comparatively well known, the former being
often quite inaccessible to the student, whose
interests are from first to last generously con-
sidered, full footnote references to authorities
being included, in addition to a classified Biblio-
graphy, an Index of MSS., and a list of the scribes
and illuminators whose names have been pre-
served. After explaining that illuminations and
outline drawings on vellum alone will be considered
by him, Mr. Herbert examines the best classic
survivals, giving the palm amongst the most
ancient to the smaller of the two Virgils in the
Vatican. He then passes on to Early Christian
and Byzantine work, but it is, perhaps, with the
sudden transition from the latter to Celtic illumina-
tion that the personal and romantic history of the
long story begins. Originated at a very early date
in Irish monasteries, the exquisite style spread
throughout Great Britain and thence to the
Continent, counteracting the influence of the com-
paratively stiff Oriental manner. It is almost
painful to turn from the wonderful Books of Kells,
Lindisfarne, and Lichfield to the account of the
Carlovingian Renaissance, in which individual
genius had so little share, but the remainder of the
book with its record of ever-growing skill, that
culminated in the Flemish masterpieces produced
on the eve of the decline which resulted from the
invention of printing, leaves absolutely nothing to
be desired.
The Glory that was Greece. By J. C. Stobart,
M.A. (London: Sidgwick and Jackson, Ltd.)
30.?. net.—Archasological exploration in recent
years has considerably altered our ideas about the
ancient Greeks, especially so in regard to the
earliest stages of their civilisation. A generation
ago the opening chapter of Mr. Stobart's book
could not have been written, for it treats of the
^Egean civilisation in the light of recently dis-
covered documents of various kinds from Crete
and elsewhere that have yielded so much informa-
tion concerning it. The scheme of the book, too,
marks a change ; at one time mythology and warfare
occupied much of the attention of writers ; here,
however, art and literature are prominent, the
author's aim being to give a history of Greece with
statues and poems taking the place of wars and
treaties. He traces the progress of Greek culture
from its beginnings as now known, through the
heroic age and the ages of transition onwards to
its culminating and turning points in the fifth and
fourth centuries b.c., noting as he goes significant
developments in art and other aspects of life, and
then follows with a glance at Macedonia. The
book is generously illustrated with excellent repro-
ductions of typical artistic productions at different
epochs.
A History of French Architecture, 1494-1661.
By Reginald Blomfield, A.R.A., M.A., F.S.A.
(London : G. Bell and Sons.) 2 vols. 50.?. net.
—An architect by profession and one thoroughly
in touch with the ideals of the master-builders of
the past, able intuitively to recognise why they
met the problems with which they had to deal
exactly as they did, Mr. Blomfield has long held
the position of a leading authority on the Re-
naissance which took place between the late six-
teenth and early eighteenth centuries. In his new
publication on the evolution of the neo-Classic style
in France, he fully maintains his reputation for
profound knowledge of his subject, skill in tracing
effects to causes, clearness of definition, and the
intellectual honesty with which he advances his
own conclusions, even when they differ from those
of other experts. Whenever possible he has
founded his descriptions on the personal examina-
tion of buildings, supplementing his actual ob-
servations by reference to old engravings, many of
which are reproduced. Necessarily compelled to
rely on them and on photographs for the greater
number of his illustrations, he has added a series
of beautiful original drawings that are perhaps the
most distinctive and attractive feature of his book.
Beginning with the first tentative efforts of French
architects to imitate contemporary Italian work in
the last decade of the fifteenth century, this most
experienced judge tells the deeply interesting story
of the triumphant progress of French architecture,
until the death of Mazarin in 1661. He closes his
record then, he explains, because the personal rule
established by Louis XIV., after his great Minister
had passed away, "introduced certain new social
and political factors which materially affected the
arts of France."
Paintings and Studies by Kawanabe Kyosai. By
Josiah Conder, F.R.I.B.A. (London: Probsthain
and Co.) £2 10s. net.—All lovers of Japanese
art will welcome the appearance of Mr. Conder's
work, which is a worthy tribute to a great Japanese
painter. The author, who had the advantage of
the artist's intimate acquaintance, has had un-
equalled opportunities of acquiring some of the
251